01 September 2009 – Tuesday

September started with a rather gray overcast morning but as the sun took control, the mist was burned off. I was up earlier than I liked, but at least it gave me time to accomplish a number of things that needed doing. One thing that did not get accomplished was getting the car washed – it was closed when I got there at 7:00. So the car washing got moved to tomorrow.

This gave me an extra hour to work on some ideas and charts that will hopefully help President Malinga accomplish some things he would like to see done in the branch. Since a couple of families got Home Teaching visits last month, it has at least started and perhaps this month they can get up to 50 – 60%. That will be a great improvement for the branch.

I also spent some time reading Conference talks. I re-read President Monson’s talk at the Priesthood session and this time it made a greater impression on me. Here a prophet of God gave clear instructions on how to improve my physical and spiritual life. I just need to do them to receive the promised blessings.

We attended Zone Development Meeting where the elders had a good discussion about how to improve their planning, finding, converting and retention skills. They shared many thoughts and experiences. There is vast amount of knowledge in any zone and it is good when they have an opportunity to talk together. We stopped and had lunch and cashed a check at the bank before going out to Port Durnford. The line at the bank was very long but they did what they could to speed things along. However when it comes to cashing a check it takes at least 10-15 minutes after you get to the teller. I think 2 or 3 people have to approve each check before the teller can finally give out the money.

At Port Durnford we visited the Nzama family and was happy to see gogo Nzama up and looking good. However she still is not eating properly and so she had to go the hospital to get pumped up. As we were driving out we stopped at the other Nzama boarding and met the Nzama matriarch who was sitting under the tree weaving mats to sell. She has been doing this for many years. It use to take her 3 weeks to make a mat, but a number of years ago she got a simple frame that cut the time to 3 days. She is working towards getting enough block to build a traditional round house. She must be at least 85 and possibly older – I will ask the next time we are there.

 Our next stop was the Malondo homestead to tell them we would not be at the funeral on Saturday due to being in Durban. We did give them a card with a donation toward the cost of the funeral. The men – including Siya – were out cleaning up the front yard so there would be places for people to park. They will get a large tent to hold the funeral. I think President Machaka will conduct but I am not sure. We gave Ayanda a letter from the Hafens and a card from us. She seems to be holding up well, as does Doreen’s mother.

Before heading home, we stopped by the Zondi homestead to see if David had found a price for a large load of manure, but he was at work. I do not think we will ever come to know one brother from the next. They all look almost exactly the same. It is embarrassing to both of us but I think Mary more so than me because she can usually remember people’s names.

By the time we wove our way home, for some reason I was very tired. I think the lack of exercise and my increasing age is starting to catch up with me. I can not do much about the latter, but I certainly can about the former.

I spent part of the night Indexing the 1920 Ohio census. The handwriting is quite good and it is nice to go through a batch and only have one or two names I am not sure are correct. I feel that if I make a mistake, some family member might have to wait for the millennium before getting their temple work done.

***As I am typing this Mary is in making copies for her English class. She seems to be having problems because she is talking to the copy machine as if it was alive and could understand her complaints.